By Omar Bah
The Gambia For All (GFA) has agreed to throw its weight behind the UDP and its leader Ousainu Darboe.
Senior officials of the two parties met at the UDP’s Manjai Kunda bureau on Saturday evening to sign the memorandum of understanding. The GFA is led by former vice president Bakary Bunja Dabo. The party was in alliance talks with the GMC, CA, NUP and APP before it pulled out.
UDP spokesperson Almami Fanding Taal told The Standard yesterday evening: “Goodwill is what Gambians need at the moment; a sense of unity of purpose and a shared destiny.”
According to the memorandum, the two parties commit to their shared desire to bring about change for the better in the country and in keeping with the genuine aspirations of its people, the GFA agreed to endorse the UDP’s candidate in the December election.
It stated: “In the context of the said memorandum, GFA accepts to desist from sponsoring a candidate to contest the said elections, but to instead endorse the candidate sponsored by the UDP. Within the framework of the stated memorandum, the UDP and GFA commit to work together and vigorously campaign for the victory of the UDP candidate who, for the purpose of the said election, effectively becomes the candidate of both parties. To that end, the parties agree to form a dedicated ad-hoc team for coordinating plans and field operations.
“In the same spirit of the memorandum, UDP and GFA agree, that in the event of electoral victory, [they will] participate effectively in any government set-up which of necessity shall be inclusive, without prejudice to the exercise of the prerogatives accruing by law to the president or other appointing authorities.
“In line with the strategy of maximising the chances for victory, the two parties agree to maintain an open-door policy for other like-minded parties and other political forces who may wish to collaborate with the two parties as per the provisions of this agreement.”
